FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Blue Star Museums?

Blue Star Museums is a program that offers free admission to museums for all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 31, through Labor Day, September 6, 2010. 

What museums are participating?

More than 900 museums in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are participating in Blue Star Museums.  These include children's museums, fine art museums, history and science museums.  Some examples are the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas; the California Surf Museum Oceanside, California; the Mission San Luis, a living history site and historic landmark in Tallahassee, Florida; the International Quilt Study Center & Museum at the University of Lincoln – Nebraska; the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois; and the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire.

Where can I find a full list of all participating museums?

For a full list of participating museums, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Who is eligible for free museum admission through Blue Star Museums?

The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve members and up to five immediate family members.

How do you define an immediate family member?

Spouse or child of active duty military or active duty military family member. 

What if my spouse is deployed?  Can my family and I still participate?

Yes, spouses of deployed military are eligible for Blue Star Museums.  Just bring your DD Form 1173 ID Card, or DD Form 1173-1 ID Card, for active duty military family members.

How many military personnel and/or family members are allowed in for free per visit?

The military ID holder plus up to five immediate family members – spouse or child of ID holder.  

What if my child is under the age of 10 and doesn't yet have a military ID?

Children under the age of 10 without military ID are welcome to attend with their parents who either hold a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID Card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID Card.

Does the Blue Star Museums program include admission for veterans and retirees? For unmarried partners? For parents with a child currently serving on active duty, or for those who have lost a child on active duty?

Admission for these individuals is not included in the scope of this program, unless they are the bearer of a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID Card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card.

Blue Star Museums was started as a pilot partnership among Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the Arts, and more than 900 museums across America to offer free admission to families with a parent or spouse serving during this time of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially focusing on the approximately 1 million children who have had at least one parent deployed. This program offers these families a chance to visit museums this summer when many will have limited resources and limited time to be together.

Will I receive free entry to special, fee-based exhibits?

Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program.  For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly.

Is there a limit on the number of Blue Star Museums I can visit this summer?

No, there is no limit on the number of participating museums that eligible parties can visit.

If a museum already offers free admission, can it still participate in Blue Star Museums?

Museums with free admission are also welcome to join the Blue Star Museums list on the NEA website. 

How can museums join the Blue Star Museums program? 

Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may contact bluestarmuseums@arts.gov, or Nicole Murray at 202-682-5578.

Who are the national partners on Blue Star Museums?

Blue Star Museums is a partnership among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families -- an organization which supports military families and increases awareness of the unique challenges of military life -- and more than 800 museums. To learn more about Blue Star Families, please visit BlueStarFam.org.

National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20506